AU9728201A - A cover - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01i1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 0 .'0 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: A COVER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: A COVER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to external window fittings in particular but not exclusively to a cover adapted to be attached to a building to at least partially cover a window opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION o. Many modern buildings have windows in walls which are not sheltered S10 from the elements. Such windows are often sliding windows and, if they are left open, rain can penetrate through the window opening causing damage to the interior of the building and in particular, to carpet, internal walls, curtains and internal fittings.

In particular, long term water damage to the floors below can be serious such as structural damage to ceilings and to the fabric of the building. Such damage is not l .9 15 only expensive to repair but also results in increases to insurance premiums such as for building and contents insurance policies.

.00o0o While the simple solution would appear to be to keep the window closed, there an obvious desire to have fresh air circulate within the building, particularly when the window is a bathroom or toilet window.

It will be appreciated that there is a need for a device which canbe conveniently fitted to a building to shield a window opening to thereby prevent rain from penetrating through the window opening while still allowing the passage of air.

3 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the object of the present invention to seek to ameliorate some of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect, the invention resides in a cover adapted to be attached to a building to at least partially cover a window opening revealed when a window is opened, the cover having an attachment portion which surrounds an end 10 of the window from which the window opens; when the cover is attached to the building, the cover extending outwardly from the attachment portion so that the majority of the cover is spaced from the window and so that the cover defines an opening between the cover and the window through which air can flow whileat least partially shielding the window opening.

15 Preferably, the attachment portion is C-shaped.

Preferably, the attachment portion is a flange.

Preferably the cover extends outwardly in a manner that keeps wind resistance to a minimum.

Preferably the cover extends outwardly from the attachment edge in an airc to meet a cover outer portion which is substantially planar and parallel to the window.

Preferably, the cover is attached to the building by means of the attachment portion being attached to the window frame.

Preferably, the attachment flange is provided with an adhesive strip for attaching the cover to the building.

Preferably, the attachment flange is adapted to be inserted into one or more channels in the window frame.

Preferably, where the window frame is an aluminum extrusion, the attachment flange can be inserted and locked into a channel of the aluminium window extrusion.

Preferably, the attachment flange is provided with a number of fixing points through which fixing means can extend into the building or window frame.

Preferably, the fixing means are screws or pop rivets.

Preferably, the cover is clear, but can be translucent and/or tinted.

:10 Preferably, the cover is formed from a unitary sheet of material.

The cover may be formed from Perspex. Lexsan, PETG. Glass or aluminium.

Preferably, the attachment flange seals- against the building when the cover is attached to the building.

5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying illustrations wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cover of the preferred embodiment; Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the cover; Figure 3, is a perspective view showing the cover fitted to a sliding window; and Figure 4 is a front view showing the cover fitted to a sliding window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows the cover 1 of the preferred embodiment. The cover 1 has an attachment portion for attaching the cover to the window in the form of a Cshaped flange 5 which extends around the three sides of cover 1, and which is used to attach the cover 1 to a building. The cover 1 extends outwardly in an arc 7 from the attachment flange 5 until it meets a substantially planer outer portion 3 of the cover 1 which is spaced by spacing 9 from the window in use and which is substantially parallel to the window. It will be appreciated that the curve of the cover S. S outward of the attachment flange is shaped so that the cover 1 will have eliminated S10 air resistance to air flowing form these directions.

o° o5o5 Figure 3 shows a window 10 having a moving sash 11 and a fixed sash 13.

In the preferred embodiment, the attachment flange of the cover 1 carries adhesive tape which enables the cover to be fixed to the window frame to thereby fix the cover to the building. It will be appreciated that the attachment flange 5 surround the end of 55 15 the window sash 11 from which the window opens to reveal a window opening.

The cover 1 and the window 10 define a gap having a clearance 9 of *55555 S approximately 35 to 40mm through which air can enter. Gaps of different clearances may vary depending on the aspect of the building or the circumstances. Thus, the cover covers the window opening when moving sash 11 is moved to a partially open position which allowing air to flow into the building.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be apparent that the opening 16 which is revealed when the movable sash 11 is opened is shielded from the weather by the cover 1 while still allowing air to flow.

In the preferred embodiment, the cover 1 is made from a clear Perspex or Lexsan material of a UV grade so that it does not reduce the amount of light which is 6 admitted through the window. However, it will be appreciated that the cover 1 could also be made of glass which could be toughened, tempered or laminated in order to provide the requisite strength. Further more, if the loss of light is not important, the cover 1 can be made of aluminium or other metal or material, suitably conditioned to be weather resistant.

The attachment flange 5 is typically attached to the window frame rather than the building itself although it will be appreciated that the attachment flange can be fixed to the building if attaching it to the window frame is impractical or less preferable. In the preferred embodiment the flange is provided with an adhesive tape strip from which a cover strip can be removed to reveal an adhesive surface which can be sued to attach the cover in position. However, in some circumstances such as S in areas of high wind, it may be appropriate to use other fixing means such as screws or pop rivets or the flange inserted into a channel in the window frame.

In the preferred embodiment, the outer portion 3 of the cover is spaced only 15 35 to 40 mm from the glass face to reduce the exposure of the cover to wind and also to improve the aesthetics of the cover. The flange abuts the windows frame so S that the cover forms a seal around an end of the window preventing air and rain from penetrating in this region.

VARIATIONS

It will be apparent that various modifications may be made to the cover of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention described herein.

For example, the cover could, in appropriate circumstances, extend outwardly at an angel of 90 degrees to define a box like structure having sufficient spacing from the window. However, it will be understood that this is less preferred as it is less aesthetic and would have greater wind resistance than the preferred embodiment.

As previously mentioned, the cover can also be fixed to a window by having the attachment flange insertable into one or more channels in a window frame.

Further, while the preferred embodiment has been described in relating to a horizontal window which opens form left to right. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention applies equally, for example, when a window opens right to left or is a vertical double hung window where the top sash opens, in which S case the cover will be attached to the building or window so as to surround the top end of the window.

S0..*0 0 0 It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

o 15 Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" o0. o and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (11)

1.A cover adapted to be attached to a building to at least partially cover a window opening revealed when a window is opened, the cover having an attachment portion which surrounds an end of the window from which the window opens; when the cover is attached to the building, the cover extending outwardly from the attachment portion so that the majority of the cover is spaced form the window and so that the cover defines an opening between the cover and the window through which air can flow while at least partially shielding the window opening.

2.A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover extends outwardly from :10 the attachment edge in an arc to meet a cover outer portion which is substantially planar and parallel to the window.

3.A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is attached to the building by means of the attachment portion being attached to the window frame.

4.A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover extends outwardly in a 15 manner that keeps wind resistance to a minimum. cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is C-shaped.

6.A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is a flange.

7.A cover as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flange is provided with an adhesive strip for attaching the cover to the building.

8.A cover as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flange is adapted to be inserted into one or more channels in the window frame.

9.A cover as claimed in claim 6 for use where the window frame is an aluminium extrusion, wherein the flange can be inserted and locked into a channel of the aluminium window extrusion. A cover as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flange seals against the building when the cover is attached to the building.

11. A cover as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flange is provided with a number of fixing points through which fixing means can extend into the building or window frame.

12. A cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fixing means are screws or pop rivets or similar fasteners.

13. A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is clear or translucent or tinted. 10 14. A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is formed from a S: unitary sheet of material. A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is formed from perspex, lexsan, glass or aluminium. S. 16. A cover substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER 2001 Andrew Paul Cottle by his Patent Attorneys Pipers Brisbane